Glen Scotia has joined with the award-winning chef Gary Robinson, to create ‘perfect pairings’ alongside its new Seasonal Release single malt whisky. The highly regarded distiller has teamed up with The Balmoral Hotel’s lauded Executive Chef to promote its limited-edition 12-year-old release, which is out now.
Inspired by classic seasonal flavours
Glen Scotia achieved global recognition this year after its 25-year-old single malt whisky was crowned Best in Show and Best Whisky in the World at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. And, following the success of the Campbeltown-based distiller’s limited-edition Sherry Double Cask Finish in 2020, Glen Scotia has created a new expression. With notes of toffee, apple, orange citrus and warm spice, this Seasonal Release is crafted using a series of unpeated distillations from 2009. It’s matured for a decade in first-fill Bourbon casks and American Oak hogsheads, then transferred and finished in first-fill Oloroso hogsheads and heavily charred American Oak barrels for a further year. Finally, the casks are brought together and bottled at cask strength — 54.7% ABV.
Exploring the perfect pairing of whisky and food
Glen Scotia has long held a penchant for perfect pairings and an ethos of uniting. Its whisky-making process combines casks and finishes to deliver classic Campbeltown flavours. And its role in the region has helped to bind the small community together throughout the centuries (it was first formed in 1832). The community has, in turn, ensured the distillery endured. In the Victorian age, Campbeltown was known as the whisky capital of the world, with over 30 distilleries packed into the town and almost every inhabitant involved in its creation. Only three distilleries remain, with Glen Scotia one of them.
In a short film, shot at the Balmoral hotel’s SCOTCH Bar and kitchens, chef Gary Robinson is joined by Glen Scotia ambassador Gary Mills. In it, the experts combine their expertise to discuss process, flavour and provenance while enjoying three new dishes created by Gary using the new limited-edition whisky. This Seasonal Release menu includes:
- Whisky-cured salmon with apples and celery
- Barbequed pork belly with a sticky whisky-honey sauce & braised pearl barley •Poached pear salad, whisky caramel and pecan toffee
About Gary Robinson
Gary Robinson started working at The Balmoral in June 2019 having spent 25 years travelling the world accruing global culinary experience; during this time, he held the honourable position of Head Chef to HRH the Prince of Wales. Gary’s approach is to create dishes that are as meaningful, sustainable and authentic as possible. Showcasing excellence within hotels, restaurants, private households and clubs, he is a strong advocate for classical cooking techniques, keeping the natural goodness of homegrown ingredients at the fore.
Robinson said of the project: “I’m always excited to get into the kitchen and experiment, especially with a fine dram from Glen Scotia. The new 12-year-old Seasonal Release is a hero ingredient in the three dishes I’ve created. Each dish showcases an indulgent seasonal flavour profile, with the whisky really enhancing each ingredient. I created these dishes with the vision that they are the perfect recipes to bring people together – not too complicated to recreate at home and each offers a really special meal for friends and family to come together, gather around a table and enjoy.”
Enhancing ingredients
Glen Scotia’s brand ambassador, Gary Mills, said: “The 12-year-old Seasonal Release is another fine dram that brings together those unmistakably seasonal flavours with Glen Scotia’s subtle maritime style, and the result is something very special indeed. While the concept of food and drink go hand in hand, it’s been eye-opening to collaborate with Gary Robinson to delve deeper into flavour profiling and consider how they marry together to enhance ingredients on the plate and in a dram – or even better to be enjoyed together. This sense of ‘togetherness’ is woven throughout Glen Scotia, which for centuries has endured by virtue of the unique spirit of its community. Food and celebrations, often centred around the town market cross, are part of the history of our tight-knit community in Campbeltown. We hope this partnership will provide some wonderful inspiration for our fans to make at home alongside a dram”
The latest 12-year-old Glen Scotia is a product of many years of craft, expertise and local knowledge, from a region rich in whisky heritage. The Seasonal Release retails at £75 and is available for purchase from the Glen Scotia website (www.glenscotia.com) and via specialist retailers.
